SEPTEMBER 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

(this blog contains my weekly emails to my precious family)

WEEK 1 ~ 9/9/2018

My precious children,

We've had our good days.  The 5 of us.  I am very sorry for my shortcomings and mistakes you’ve had to live with.  Yet, despite it all, I am so pleased with the responsible, beautiful, kind people you’ve grown up to be.  Keep supporting and loving and listening to each other.  

Thank you so very much for bringing your families to Ft Stevens to commemorate my 60th birthday.  I can’t thank you enough.  I love each of you with all my heart.  I love the precious memory book and appreciate the notes that were written and gifts that were shared.  Our time together was over much too soon.  I am enjoying reviewing the shared photo files.  

Last evening we arrived back in South Jordan.  We should be parked here at the Bullocks for 6 weeks.  Amazing, huh?  The last week of September we have agreed to sit with Linc and Carrie’s kids while he works out of town and she takes a trip with her siblings.  We are contemplating how to escape the cold temperatures and dangerous road conditions of Utah weather in November, December, January and February.  Any ideas?

I got a haircut last week.  I’ll have to live with it for a while.  In church today someone noticed that I had a rooster tail.  I began to hate my hair.  I wanted to disappear.

Then I remembered this ‘true’ story.

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.  

“Well," she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”  So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

“Hmmm,” she said,  “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.”  So she did and had a grand day.

The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  

“Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.”  So she did and she had a fun, fun, day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.  

“Yeah!” she exclaimed. “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Attitude is everything!

It’s been a rough day.  And my hair was only a small part.  

How are you doing?

(Jerry and Hatcher are hiding. Yeah, I noticed.)

I only emailed ONE WEEK this month...

but WOW was it a GREAT ONE!!!!

I love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine Ü

Momma

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

AUGUST 2018

AUGUST 2018

(this blog contains my weekly emails to my precious family)

WEEK 1 ~ 8/5/2018

It’s a sweet sabbath day in South Jordan.  What’s happening in your neck of the woods?

Main events:

1) Thursday we retrieved CarLa from Infinity Coach Repair in Sumner, Washington and escorted her back to South Jordan.  Lane drove this big beautiful monster bus straight through. My hero!

2) Momma-to-BEE shower for Randi.  (Baby is due August 22nd)  Many family members attended.  It was delightful.

I snapped this photo of the Howell sisters before I made a quick exit to join MY sisters for a playdate!  

3) Here we are at the playdate.  Roundhouse Quilt Festival in Evanston, WY. 🤫My sisters surprised my mom by secretly submitting 2 of her quilts. It was so fun to see her expression when she discovered them hanging in their first ever quilt show.  It was positively lovely!

We love that you are all connected.  We love that you look after one another.  We love that you support each other.  We love that you take turns lifting and leaning.  Most of all, we simply LOVE being counted among your parents (or in-laws).  

This coming week:

Slater turns 7 TODAY!!!

We leave for a trip to Banff, CANADA with Tom’s family on the 7th…returning the 18th.

X is 29 on the 8th.

Cam & Kim celebrate 22 years married on the 12th.

WEEK 2 ~ 8/11/2018
Hi Family,

Carolyn and I left Florida to spend more time with you.  Since some of our best memories with you, over the years, have been traveling and vacationing memories, we are attempting to expand on this with you and your kids.  Our family is large.  We think we can do better with one family at a time.  But this makes us appear as vagabonds…gypsies…wanderers. And I guess it really is so.  It won’t last forever, but we are enjoying the freedom to roam with you for a while.  We hope you don’t think less of us for this.   

If you wake up some mornings wondering, “where are Mom and Dad today?”, there are a few ways to know.  

• Carolyn does a “Sunday Check-In” that gives a few clues, weekly.
• Carolyn is posting pictures on Instagram periodically.  We can also see what YOU post there - we think 10 of you are on Instagram.
• Another tool is the app, “Find Friends”.  This is fascinating to me.  It literally tracks our phones (and yours) on a map and let’s you see instantaneously where we are.  Lincoln can assist with this if you are interested. 
• We can be reached by phone or text almost at any time.  We love to receive random calls or messages, letting us know what is happening in YOUR lives.  Some of our grandkids are actually getting good at doing Face Time calls.  We love it.  

For those of you who are not into any of this, we are not at all offended.  We love you all and pray for you regularly.

Love, 

Mom & Dad Howell

WEEK 3 ~ 8/19/2018

Hey!

We are home!  (But then again we are always ‘home’ when we are in CarLa.)

Our days in Canada were awesome eh.  Here is evidence...



Randi & Roy welcomed ‘Savannah Edith Scott’ on August 6th (2 weeks early)

Good advice:



Next week:
20th ~ Mer & Tyson’s 14th Anniversary
21st ~ Jon & RayDean’s Anniversary
21st ~ Lane & I attend one day of education week at BYU (my first time since 1982!!!)
23rd ~ We begin a road trip to meet up with YOU (Jerry, Britni, Callie, & Jami) at Ft Stevens State Park (Aug 25th to 28th).  Do you remember Lane showing up there in 1996?  Awkward.

I love you forever!!!

Momma (& Dad Lane)

JULY 2018

JULY 2018
(this blog contains my weekly emails to my precious family)

    

WEEK 1 ~ 7/1/2018

Hey Wonderful Family,

Do you have any clue how amazing you are and how much you are loved, remembered and prayed for?  Probably not.  So I’ll tell you, I love you more than sleeping-in, and staying up late…and that’s a lot. 

1)  We took the 4 senior Hansen kiddos to an RV park retreat 25th & 26th.  Stickers, play doh, picnic, splash pad, pass the pigs, balloon stomp.  We love you Dalia, Tesila, Rockwell and Violet. Next time we’ll capture Hatcher too!

2)   CarLa needs some mechanical attention so we’ve scheduled a private retreat for her July 6th-20th at a Seattle RV Service Center

The Hansen’s flew off to Alaska so we are stalling in Anacortes/San Juan Islands until our appointment date.  

3) The surrounding area is quite nice.  We’ll watch the fireworks over Fidalgo Bay but we’ll be missing games and picnicking with you.  

4)  Happy 4th of July!

Coming this week:

July 4th - fireworks, picnics, ladder ball

July 6th - we fly to Hawaii while CarLa is out of commission (Molokai)

July 7th - Tyson will mark his 36th birthday

WEEK 2 ~ 7/8/2018

Greetings ~

Last Friday we left CarLa in Seattle for maintenance so we moved…to Hawaii!  We now live in Molokai (until the 13th).  Next week we move to Oahu.

1)  Assisted by of a piece of driftwood and a rock we share this pretty sweet timed selfie.

2)  My second favorite flower…bird of paradise.

3)  “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move as far as you can. as much as you can, across the ocean or simply across the river.  Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.” ~ Anthoney Bourdain, influential celebrity chef (1956-2018)

4)  Eating the food of Molokai.  A few purchases from the local farmers market.  Red avocado and purple beans.

5)  Lesson from Sunday School

"More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord,

More pride in his glory, More hope in his word,

More tears for his sorrows, More pain at his grief,

More meekness in trial, More praise for relief.”

Thank you for your goodness, for trying each day to be a little better, for loving each other, for being amazing.  Keep it simple.  

July is National “Anti-Boredom Month"

2nd ~ I forgot “I Forgot Day"

This coming week:

10th ~ "Teddy Bear Picnic Day"

12th ~ "Greg-Will-Be-46" Day

13th ~ we move to Oahu (before returning to Seattle and CarLa on the 20th)

It’s always nice to hear from you.

WEEK 3 ~ 7/15/2018

ALOHA, dearly beloved children,

Moloka'i, a feast for your eyes…

Late night, dark alley.  The perfect setting for a hot bread run behind Kanemitsu's Bakery from 7:30 pm to 11 pm.  We ordered “the works”, a hot 12” circle loaf split and spread with strawberries, blueberries, cream cheese, cinnamon and butter.  

Kalaupapa sure is one breathtaking setting for having been a place of exile on Molokai before there was a cure for leprosy.  Surrounded by ocean on three sides and the world’s highest sea cliffs (3,313 feet) on the 4th side ill-fated Hawaiians were banished here beginning in 1866.  In the early days ‘patients’ were left here without adequate housing, food, and healthcare. 

It’s victims were subjected to horrific conditions escalated by lawless predators among their ranks prior to volunteers such as Father Damien and Sister Marianne (now catholic saints) arriving in 1873 and 1888 respectively.  

If you come here, get yourself down to the valley whether by mule, foot, or flight.  Patients have been free to leave since 1969, most stayed.  Today only 7 survivors remain. 

We stayed on Molokai until Friday, July 13th.  I recommend small airline travel.  A mere 55 minutes from Molokai's front porch to Oahu's tarmac.  

10:33 locked up our condo

10:57 checked in at airport

11:05 boarded 9-seater flight

11:27 touched down in Honolulu    

Diamond Head 

The Northwest heat wave (today).  On par with Mississippi, Utah and Hawaii.

My artist brother Chris knows how to flip flapjacks for his grandsons.  

Today’s SS lesson - Enduring

Jesus suffered for our sins, pains, depression, anguish, infirmities and fears.  He knows how to help us, inspire us, comfort us, and strengthen us so we may endure.  If we could hear Heavenly Father’s voice he would be saying “I love you.  I sustain you.  I am with you.  Do not give up.  Repent and endure in the path that I have shown you.  And I assure you that we will see each other again in our celestial home."

Coming this week:

18th - Jerel’s birthday

19th - we fly back to Seattle to pick up CarLa

21st - Jerry’s birthday

WEEK 4 ~ ...  

WEEK 5 ~ 7/29/2018

This is your mother checking in,

Return from Oahu to pick up CarLa.  Check.

Spend time with the Hansens.  Check.  Can’t wait to see you again (and your sibs) at Fort Stevens.  Let’s think about meeting at the Astoria Column Saturday, August 25th for a picnic lunch prior to checking in to our campground.  Menu outlines will be emailed to each of you this week.  Counting down and excited!!!  Jami, let us know what we can provide to make your cross-country trip easier for your family.  

Tally Uncle Chris Creek’s pancakes commemorating Shark Week.  Check.

(including a ‘lemon' shark, a cross bred shark+T-rex, if Sasquatch hosted Shark Week, and the after party)

Last week:

23rd ~ Taggart is now the big "ONE-OH”!  (that’s 1-O)

24th ~ Luke celebrated turning double pick-up sticks. (that’s II)

25th ~ Maggie blew out NINE candles!

TODAY is Jami’s 1/2 BIRTHDAY!  Wa-hoo.

Watch the rebroadcast of the Pioneer Day concert.  It was SOOOO VERY good!

Coming soon…

July 31st ~ Chloe will be SIX!

August 5th ~ Slater will be SEVEN!

We love you forever! 

Scatter smiles & sunshine Ü

Momma, Momma C, Carolyn (& Dad Lane)

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

JUNE 2018

JUNE 2018

(this blog contains my weekly emails to my precious family)

WEEK 1 6/3/2018

Check-in courtesy of Colorado,

1)  We left Thursday morning for a 5 night RV trip with the Kelley Krew to SW Colorado.  Here are highlights…so far.

Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, Durango train museum, Telluride waterfall, Ouray mine tour.  Gorgeous countryside, picnics, mining towns, fun grandkids.

2) earlier in the week we completed a 4 night RV trip with the Scotts.  We sat in on the inaugural summer concert at Homestead resort, canoed/kayaked on Deer Creek reservoir, ate too much, played games, watched “Solo” and thoroughly enjoyed time with Randi and Roy.  We learned that the Wallsburg chapel has lavender and pink trim and very welcoming saints.

3) Emeline spoke at her elementary graduation (impressive), received an award for 100% attendance, and is an outstanding soon-to-be 7th grader.  Yikes!

4)  2018 High School graduating grandkids are:

May 31st - Carlie Bullock

June 1st - Kylie Howell

June 5th - Joseph Hill

June 7th - Anissa Howell

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!!!

5)  

6)  Did you watch the 40th year commemoration of the revelation on the priesthood?  It was a praiseworthy event!

Coming this week:

June 5th - Randi & Roy celebrate 5 years of marriage!

June 5th - we return from our Kelley Camping trip and leave for the Pacific Northwest (June 5th - June 29th)

June 7th - Erin is through being 32

June 7th - Stephanie makes 42 look good in the neighborhood

June 7th - we hope Jon has fun being 51

June 10th - Sophie blows out 4 candles

WEEK 2 ~ 6/10/2018

A summer salutation…

It may not be officially summer, but it feels like it!  Most of our grandkids are out of school or will finish this week.  

1)  Tuesday we finished up a wonderful 5 day RV trip to Colorado with the Kelley’s.  Ouray Hot Springs and the Black Canyon National Park made for two impressive finales on Monday.  

2)  We left Tuesday late afternoon to make our way to Albany, Oregon for Anissa’s HS graduation, held outdoors on Thursday evening.  You heard me.  OUTDOORS.  In Oregon.  Rain or shine.  It shined!  And so did Anissa.  

3)  Josh and Amanda hopped in with us for the ride to Oregon.  We stopped at the Boise Temple, hiked into Silver Falls Loop Trail, got caught in the rain, and tonight Josh caught the first crab of the season ;o}

This coming Wednesday the 4 remaining Bullocks will meet us at the coast for some crabbing.  Soon thereafter Kim, Cam, Justin, Anissa (?) will check in to a rental home in nearby Rockaway.  Perhaps Jerry and Erin can drive out to Kelly’s Marina this weekend too?

4)  Below our signature you will find an up-to-date list of family addresses, for those interested.

5)  My mother phoned last week and reported that David’s doctor has given him a good health report.  He doesn’t need to be seen again until November!

6)  Last Sunday the prophet spoke to the youth in a worldwide devotional.  

Here is what he said:

#five continued: Stand out. Be different. Be a light. Give to a friend one copy of the booklet For the Strength of Youth.

I feel that I shouldn’t let a little thing like age keep me from receiving blessings so I’m gonna accept the youth challenge and fast from FB for a week. (I’ll still access instagram/Marco Polo because these feeds are 99% family contacts. But I will limit my time to 30 minutes a day to avoid getting sidetracked.) 

7) FYI: Carrie’s dad, Gerald Pulsipher, went home to heaven Sunday. This man is remarkable and we love him. I remember first meeting him as Lincoln’s bishop when Lincoln was preparing to serve a mission. ‘Bishop’ Pulsipher has been an intregal part of the Howell family for decades. We are sorry for this separation from his family but eternally grateful to know that it is only temporary. We love you Carrie, our thoughts are with you and your family.

Coming this week:

10th - We remember Dillon and the Albany Howells.

10th - The Gerber’s have "Sophie the Fourth" at their house!

11th - Sarah Hill will be a terrific twenty-one year old.

14th - correction - Kylie Howell actually graduates this Thursday. Sorry, we’ll miss it.

WEEK 3 ~ 6/17/2018

One-hundred percent, Oregon-obsessed!

1)  Oohlala!  Cathedral Grove, adjacent to the Astoria column.  

  

2)  We enjoyed quality and quantity time with the Bullocks and Albany Howells.  Crabbing, clamming, eating, beach-time, sunsets, Geo-cashing, picnics, campfires, s’mores, hiking, popcorn, games, snacking, and flying balsa wood planes from atop the Astoria column.

3)  Happy Father’s Day eve:  1st annual Cheeto Toss

4)  Bubble-blowing challenge.  Don’t POP, Pop!  (Aunt Steph filled in for Uncle Jerel.  Amanda demonstrates her prowess.  Caden actually set the record, but no photo.)

5)  Drift Creek Falls & Suspension Bridge this afternoon.  

Thanks for hanging with us.  You were all good sports!

Years ago a wise friend told me “a lazy mother does things herself”.  This came to mind recently in Relief Society as the ladies were discussing the need for ministering.  One sister sited that since God can’t be everywhere and cannot meet everyone’s needs that we must fill in for Him.  To which someone responded “YES, He can.  Yet He chooses to let us gain experience and develop charity.”  Heavenly Father is not a lazy parent.  He is the champion of parenting on purpose.

We hope your Father's Day has been fabulous!   We are grateful for the wonderful, wacky and weird father’s in our family.  Thanks for all you do!!!

This coming week:

19th-23rd  ~ We are excited to RV with the Adams’ family in 2 Oregon State Parks

23rd  ~ We depart Oregon and drive north to find the Hansens in Washington - “Wahoo!"

24th  ~ David will be 15

24th  ~ Danny turns 13

24th  ~ Heston celebrates year 5!

WEEK 4 ~ 6/24/2018

It’s Sunday!  Wow, where did the week go?

1)  Beach time with Jerry’s family - Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon (also Cape Meares Light House)

2)  We love Tillamook Cheese Factory - their ice cream is also famous!  Ava & I can heartily recommend Oregon Dark Cherry…with hot fudge on the side.  What was most remarkable was we timed it perfectly to attend the second day of the grand reopening factory tour.

3)  Forest time - The Octopus Tree, upper right (Cape Meares), and LL Stub Stewart State Park, Oregon

4)  We arrived at the Hansen home Saturday in time for G’pa to babysit the 3 youngest Hansens while G’ma attended Tesila’s dance recital.  Today we drove the scooter to church, took kids on short rides around the neighborhood, and watched a movie.  Did we watch it at G’ma’s or Britni’s?  CarLa fits…just barely (without the scooter attached).

Today marks 3 birthdays…

David is 15

Danny is 13

Heston is 5

This coming week…

Russell will be TWO!!

Great granddaughter Hailee celebrates turning 2!

Make it a good week.  Be nice, or go home. 

 We love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine Ü

Momma C & Dad Lane

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994